Former Gov. George Ryan to be released from prison

CHICAGO (AP) - A former aide to imprisoned ex-Gov. George Ryan says life in a halfway house after prison has good and bad parts.

Ryan's former aide Scott Fawell made the comments Tuesday, the same day an attorney said the former governor would leave federal prison through a work release program by the end of January.

Fawell was also convicted and served prison time in the Ryan investigation. He spent time at a Chicago Salvation Army facility after his release. He says it was good to wear his own clothes, work and be closer to freedom. At the same time, inmates of all walks are together.

Attorneys say Ryan will leave prison Jan. 30 for a Chicago halfway house. He was convicted in 2006 of racketeering, conspiracy and tax fraud among other things.

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